Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

by

Leo Tolstoy

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Anna Karenina: Part 7, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Although Kitty’s baby is long overdue, Kitty is calm and happy, already in love with the child. Kitty’s only concern is that Levin is anxious and jumpy in the city. In the country, Levin is constantly occupied, but in the city, he has nothing to do: he doesn’t play cards, go to the club, or flirt. He also doesn’t have the inspiration to work on his book. However, he and Kitty don’t quarrel in the city.
Kitty is already in wordless sync with her child—her bond with the baby begins before it is born. In the country, Levin is busy with real labor; in the city, the artificial amusements have no pull for him, and he feels as though he has no purpose in life.
Themes
Marriage and Family Life Theme Icon
Society and Class Theme Icon
Farming and Rural Life Theme Icon
One evening, Kitty meets Vronsky again; though she blushes at first, she comports herself well. Although Levin is angry at first when she tells him, he quickly cheers up completely because he realizes that her rational behavior confirms that Kitty doesn’t have feelings for Vronsky anymore.
For Tolstoy, a blush is always indicative of a deep physical passion that bubbles up to the surface, a representation of true and authentic inner feelings. At the same time, although Kitty and Levin can’t control these instinctive emotions, they can control their reactions and what they do with these emotions.
Themes
Marriage and Family Life Theme Icon
Society and Class Theme Icon
Compassion and Forgiveness Theme Icon